Courtesy of Mish.
Steen Jakobsen, Chief economist at Saxo Bank in Denmark, pinged me today with his thoughts on “the morning after” and “price discovery”.
In my opinion these two paragraphs of the FOMC Statement are the key ones:
- The Committee sees the downside risks to the outlook for the economy and the labor market as having diminished, on net, since last fall, but the tightening of financial conditions observed in recent months, if sustained, could slow the pace of improvement in the economy and labor market.
- The Committee recognizes that inflation persistently below its 2 percent objective could pose risks to economic performance, but it anticipates that inflation will move back toward its objective over the medium term.
#1 – Tighter monetary conditions clearly concerns them – the only reason for forward guidance as per Vice-chairman Yellen is to “direct market” to FOMC central projection – this got out of control and we now effectively have not only a put on the stock market, but also a put on the bond market. The whole financial market is now “government controlled” – Price discovery has been reduced close to ZERO – as even the term-premium (expected rate expectations) is ignored and considered invalid by Fed and its merry men.
# 2 – The wording is mild, but it’s a real concern. I have no doubt inflation, or lack of, played bigger role than anything else in taking decision to not taper. An economy with weak inflation, is an economy with excess capacity – An economy with excess capacity is not an economy healing and creating jobs – hence – Fed also de facto yesterday stated: the unemployment rate is invalid to use as gauge for future monetary policy but also as statistical indicator.
Whole Financial Market Government Controlled
In regards to Steen’s comments “The whole financial market is now “government controlled” – Price discovery has been reduced close to ZERO“, I agree 100% (for now).
But will “control” last forever? If you think it will, then why did we have a housing and stock market crash?
Price Stability
In regards to inflation, I have to shake my head. Inflation is not a good thing, not now, not ever. And with so many boomers headed into retirement on fixed income with few assets, inflation is even more crippling.
I have a question: Does the following chart look like price stability?
Inflation Targeting at 2% a Year
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